The field notes, maps, records, and other papers mentioned in section 53 of this title, shall in no case be turned over to the authorities of any State, until such State has provided by law for the reception and safe-keeping of the same as public records, and for the allowance of free access to the same by the authorities of the United States.
(R.S. §2221.)
R.S. §2221 derived from acts Jan. 22, 1853, ch. 24, §3,